Another coordinator. Another season of expectations. Jared Goff enters 2026 with his biggest opportunity yet to prove he’s among the NFL’s elite.
Before training camp begins, I’ll be breaking down all 22 of my projected starters with a player profile series, starting on the offensive side of the ball. There’s no better place to begin than with quarterback Jared Goff, the player who has helped transform the Detroit Lions into an NFC contender.
Entering his sixth season in Detroit, Goff will once again be adjusting to change. The 2026 season marks his fourth offensive coordinator in six years after the Lions hired Drew Petzing this offseason. Last season, it became evident that former offensive coordinator John Morton wasn’t the right fit. Following a disappointing start offensively, head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties before Week 9, and the offense immediately looked more comfortable.
Goff also dealt with one of the weakest offensive lines he’s played behind since arriving in Detroit. Injuries and inconsistent play up front forced him to speed up his decision-making far more often than in previous seasons. Despite that, he still produced another outstanding campaign.
The supporting cast around him remains among the league’s best. Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to be one of football’s premier route runners, Jameson Williams provides game-breaking speed, Sam LaPorta is one of the NFL’s top young tight ends, and Jahmyr Gibbs is a nightmare for defenses both as a runner and receiver. Detroit is also excited about the continued development of Isaac TeSlaa, whose size and athleticism could make him a dangerous red-zone weapon.
Another underrated aspect of Goff’s career has been his durability. Since arriving in Detroit in 2021, he has not missed a single start, providing stability at the most important position in football. That reliability is one of the biggest reasons the Lions have remained competitive every season.
Recently, NFL coaches, executives, and scouts ranked Goff as the ninth-best quarterback in the league, and it’s easy to see why. While he may not post career highs in passing yards or touchdowns this season, I expect his efficiency to improve significantly. Detroit is projected to have one of the league’s easier schedules, which should allow the offense to play with more leads. That likely means more opportunities to lean on the running game late in contests rather than forcing Goff to carry the offense for four quarters.
According to Pro Football Focus, Goff earned a 77.7 overall grade during the 2025 season, ranking 12th among qualified quarterbacks. He finished with a 76.8 passing grade while throwing for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Across 623 dropbacks, he recorded 16 big-time throws and only 13 turnover-worthy plays, highlighting his ability to protect the football while still creating explosive plays.
Goff has consistently shown that when he’s given a clean pocket, he can perform at an elite level. With an improved offensive line expected in front of him this season, Detroit should be able to push the ball downfield more frequently and give receivers like Williams additional time to separate. Last season, pressure often forced Goff into quick throws before deeper routes had time to develop.
My prediction for 2026 is 4,581 passing yards and 34 touchdown passes. Surrounded by one of the NFL’s deepest collections of offensive talent, Goff has everything he needs to lead another top-tier offense and help the Lions reclaim the NFC North title.
